CHAPTER 74: AKIRA’S FIRST DAY IN SAMPOSTIS

Following the confrontation between the Zarracks and Akira’s brother, the group returns to Ethrea in the afternoon, making their way back to the abandoned parking lot where Kono’s ship is located. Everyone disembarks from Mizuda’s ship.

Kono: (stretching) What a crazy week we’ve had.

Mizuda: You all must be exhausted from your journey.

Gram: (complaining) I still want my vacation!

Daru: Don’t start this again, Gram.

Gram: But am I wrong!?

Akira gazes at Kono’s ship with disdain.

Akira: This is your ship?

Kono: Um, yes! Do you like it?

Akira: No. It looks like crap.

Zodiac: And it smells like it too.

Kono: Hey! Our ship is amazing!

Zodiac: Sure.

Mizuda: Well, I suppose we can plan to hang out another time since it’s nearly nighttime. Hopefully, you won’t encounter that situation again.

Kono: I hope not. It would have been a pleasure to spend time with you!

Mizuda: Oh, don’t worry. I have plenty of stories to share about my adventures. In any case, have a good night!

Himitsu: Goodnight, Master!

They bid Mizuda farewell as they board their own ships and fly back to Sampostis. Upon Kono’s arrival, she docks the ship at the shipping docks. As they exit, Akira looks around in awe at the vast city, having never seen anything like it before.

Kono: Welcome to Sampostis, Akira! What do you think?

Akira: (annoyed) I don’t care about this place! All I care about is finding my brother!

Kono: Okay, okay. But let’s wait until tomorrow to talk about it.

Akira folds her arms in frustration. After a few minutes of walking along the streets, they finally reach Kono’s house.

Kono: We’re finally home!

Ohma: Yeah!

Gram: Ahhh, my vacation was ruined!

Himitsu: I mean, Gram, we could always have another one.

Gram: Yeah, but that resort was so cool!

Daru: Just shut up and get inside.

Akira walks ahead, entering the house first to explore. Before the others follow, Zodiac stops them.

Zodiac: Hold it. Everyone, come over here.

Kono: Huh? Is everything alright?

Zodiac: No, it’s not. We need to figure out what to do with Akira.

Himitsu: We do?

Zodiac: Yes, I need to know if we are leaving her on her own or not.

Daru: I guess this is the best time, since she can’t hear us.

Kono: After everything that happened and considering how strong Akira is, I think we should add her to the team.

Daru: What! Are you kidding me, Kono?! She’s nothing but trouble and always quick to anger.

Kono: I know, but she really wants to find her brother.

Ohma: But she wants to kill him. Are you okay with that?

Kono: I know she does, but maybe she’ll change.

Zodiac: And what makes you certain of that?

Kono: I don’t know for certain, but if she joins us, we might be able to guide her onto a better path.

Daru: I highly doubt that.

Gram: I want her to join us, hehe.

Daru: Of course, you would want that, Gram.

Kono: Come on, everyone. Let’s give her a chance.

Himitsu: I’m with Kono. Maybe she will change.

Ohma: I don’t see Akira as a bad person, so I’m on board.

Daru: You know what, fine! Go ahead and add her. But when she starts causing trouble, don’t blame me.

Gram: (Talking to himself) Yesssssss.

Zodiac: (Shaking his head) Screw my life...

As Zodiac says this, Akira steps out of the house and heads toward a tree.

Kono: Where are you going, Akira?

Akira: I refuse to sleep in there. The place is a mess, the roof is half missing, and you have no couch.

Kono: (Awkwardly) Haha! I forgot to clean up, my bad. I really miss that couch.

Everyone stares blankly.

Gram: See, even she thinks it’s nasty.

Kono: Okay, Gram, we get it. I’ll go clean up.

Daru: Gram, go help her clean.

Gram: What!? Why should I be the one?

Daru: Because you have the biggest mouth.

Gram: Ugh... Fine...

As everyone goes inside and Gram helps Kono clean, the scene shifts to Akira gazing up at the sky while sitting against the tree.

Akira: (Talking to herself) Riaku, I promise when I find you, I’ll end you for good.

Akira removes the plushie from her waist and holds it in front of her.

Akira: (Talking to herself) Don’t worry, I’ll do it for you... little L.

As everyone goes to bed, hours pass until morning. Kono, still asleep, yawns and stretches in her bed. When she turns to get up, she sees Akira standing over her.

Kono: (Yells) AHHHHH!!!

Everyone hears Kono scream and rushes out of their rooms into hers, prepared to confront the situation.

Ohma: Akira?

Himitsu: Huh? Are you okay, Akira?

Akira continues to stare at Kono.

Akira: To find my brother in the other dimensions, I have to join your crew, right?

Kono: (Nervously) Uh... technically, yes, but we don’t just go into other—

Akira: Where do I sign up?

Daru: Okay, slow down.

Akira: What do you want!?

Daru: First, we brought you here; we never said you were joining our team.

Zodiac: I agree. Honestly, you’d make this crew worse with that anger of yours.

Himitsu & Gram: Hey!

Ohma: (Smiling) Hi!

Kono smacks her forehead.

Akira: I’m joining your team whether you like it or not! I need that ship of yours to find my brother and kill him. If I knew how to fly it, I would have stolen it already.

Kono: No, don’t steal OLO!

Akira: What?

Kono: OLO, my ship.

Akira: You named your ship OLO...?

Kono: Yeah, what’s wrong with OLO?

Akira: You guys are a bunch of idiots.

Ohma: Hey, guys...

Everyone looks at Ohma.

Gram: What’s up, Ohma?

Ohma: Umm... I think we should add Akira to the team.

Daru: And why’s that, Ohma?

Ohma: Well, as we talked about last night, she’s strong, her fire is powerful, and she’s a dragon.

Daru: (Sighs) You know, Ohma, for once you actually made a good point.

Ohma: Huh? I didn’t point at anything, Sir Daru.

Akira: So, are you going to answer my question, Cone?

Kono: It’s Kono!

Akira: Yeah... whatever.

Kono: (Annoyed) To join our squad, you have to pass a trial.

Akira: Fine. Where is it?

Kono: It’s at the Order of Triumph Association Building.

Without further discussion, Akira begins walking away.

Himitsu: Where are you going?

Akira: I’m going to do my trial, you idiot.

Kono: What!? Right now?

Akira: Yes.

Akira exits the house, making her way toward the building for her trial.

Kono: Guys, we need to go! Get ready!

Zodiac: Yep... my day is ruined again.

Daru: (Sighs) Great...

Ohma: Are you all right, Sir Daru?

Daru: Ohma... shut up.

Ohma: Yes, sir!

Everyone quickly prepares and rushes out of the house to catch up with Akira. As they run, they spot her in the distance in front of the building.

Gram: My love! I mean, Akira!

Akira turns around to see Gram and the others.

Akira: What took you so long?

Himitsu: You just took off, and we still needed to get ready.

Akira: Whatever. Cone, is this the building?

Kono, visibly irritated, responds.

Kono: It’s Kono, and yes, this is the building.

Akira remains silent and walks in.

Daru: Oh, this girl is already making me rethink my decision.

They all follow Akira into the building, where she is seen pushing people aside.

Akira: (pushing) Move!

Person 1: Hey!

Akira: Get out of my way!

Person 2: Watch it!

Akira: MOVE!

Person 3: You could say "excuse me"!

Gram: She is so hot!

Zodiac: Shut up.

Akira reaches the front desk, where Fin notices her.

Fin: Hi! How’s it go—

Akira: Give me a trial.

Fin: Pardon? I’m sorry?

Akira: Are you deaf? I said, give me a trial.

Fin: Well, are you here to start your own crew or join one?

Akira: (upset) JUST GIVE ME A DAMN TRIAL!

Fin: Uhhh— Okay, which one would you like? You can pick a trial on the screen behind me.

Akira looks at the screen and points.

Akira: Give me that one.

Fin locates the selected option.

Fin: Okay! You’re all set; just enter that door—

Akira begins to walk away, heading through the door. As she enters the room, Kono and the others arrive at the front desk.

Kono: Fin!

Fin: Oh, hi, Kono! How’s it going?

Kono: (speaking rapidly) It’s going good, but have you seen a girl with pink hair and a dragon tail who is rude?

Fin: Whoa, whoa... slow down. Who are you looking for?

Himitsu: Guys.

Daru: She’s a dragon and has a tail.

Zodiac: She likes to walk away while you’re talking.

Daru: Sounds familiar.

Zodiac: What does that mean?

Himitsu: Uhh... guys.

Daru:

It means you don’t have manners if you walk away while someone is talking.

Zodiac: Well, then people need to talk faster. I don’t have time to listen for hours.

Gram: Great, here we go again.

Ohma: Hey guys, I think Himitsu is trying to tell you something.

Fin: There was a girl who came in, and she was somewhat rude.

Kono: Yes! That must be her. Where did she go?

Himitsu: GUYS!!

Everyone: WHAT, HIMITSU!

Himitsu: I found her.

Kono: What! Where?

Himitsu points at the TV. Everyone looks up and sees Akira walking.

Daru: She’s already doing a trial?

Fin: Is that her?

Gram: Yep! That’s my future wife right there.

Fin: Oh, is it now?

Gram: Yeah, I already have names picked out for our kids. Want to see them?

Daru: Cut it out, Gram.

Gram: (Crossing his arms) Fine!

Kono: Yes, that’s her. She will be joining our crew.

Fin: I see. Good thing she picked a strength trial since none of your crew members have picked it.

As Gram speaks, the scene transitions back to Akira in the room.

Akira: Is this stupid thing going to start?

AI: Hello and welcome to your trial.

Akira: Just shut up and tell me what I have to do.

AI: To your left, you will find a punch button. For your trial, you need to strike it and achieve a score exceeding 400—

As the AI continues, a massive explosion fills the television screen with smoke.

Gram: What on earth was that?

Person 1: What just happened?

Fin: I—I have no idea.

Person 2: Is she dead?

Kono: Did something explode in there?

After a few moments, the door opens, and Akira emerges, surprising everyone as she approaches Fin.

Fin: (Confused) Uhh...

Akira: Did I pass?

Fin is momentarily speechless, and everyone looks back at the television, where the punch button is completely destroyed.

Person 3: (Blank expression) H-h-how?

Fin: Y-yes, you passed.

Akira: Good! Am I good to go?

Fin: Almost. All you have to do is write your signature on this paper that confirms that you are a part of the Maivelance crew.

Fin retrieves the papers for Kono’s crew and hands them to Akira for her signature.

Fin: There, you’re all set for—

Akira begins to exit the building.

Kono: Ugh! She keeps doing that!

They all follow Akira outside.

Kono: (As she exits) Thank you, Fin! See you later!

Fin: (Yelling) Uhh, yeah, see you later! (Talking to self) Her crew is getting weirder.

Daru: Akira! Can you stop?

Akira halts and turns around.

Akira: What? I have to find my brother.

Zodiac: Seriously, enough of that nonsense!

Akira: Huh? What di—

Zodiac: I’m not going to repeat myself. I’m tired of hearing you talk about needing to kill your brother! We’re not going after him anytime soon!

Ohma: I don’t think I’ve ever seen Zodiac say so many words.

Gram: Yeah, me too.

Akira approaches Zodiac.

Akira: You don’t understand what my brother has done to me! He’s a bad person who needs to be stopped!

Daru: I get that, Akira, but joining the Order isn’t about searching for your brother; it’s about—

Kono: Bringing peace to all dimensions.

Akira: So what, we’re just going to ignore my brother!?

Ohma steps closer to Akira, prompting her to back away a few feet.

Ohma: (Sighs) Akira, we will find your brother, and you can do what you want with him when we do, but we’re not looking for him right now. You need to understand that you’re part of the Order now. If we go after your brother now, people from other dimensions will die. Do you understand?

Akira experiences a brief flashback, envisioning a little girl.

???: (Smiling) You can save people with your powers, Akira.

Akira’s eyes begin to water, and those around her take notice.

Daru: Huh?

Gram: Is she crying?

Akira: NO! I’M NOT CRYING!

Himitsu: Okay, okay, calm down.

Akira takes a deep breath.

Akira: Fine... We’ll deal with my brother later, but we’re going to find him, and I’m going to kill him.

Ohma: (Smiling) Exactly!

Daru: Ohma!

Ohma: Sorry! I mean, yeah, we’re going to stop him!

Akira: Your breath stinks.

Akira begins walking back to the house, causing Gram and Himitsu to laugh.

Ohma: My breath stinks?

Kono: Hey, Akira.

Akira turns around once more.

Akira: AHH! What do you want NOW, KONO?!

Kono looks taken aback.

Kono: You actually said my name right this time! Oh, I was going to mention that we’re going to get something to eat.

Akira: I’m not hungry; I’m going to—

Before Akira can finish, her stomach growls.

Kono: Sounds like someone is hungry.

Akira: Shut up and just walk.

Kono giggles and starts leading the way to Burger Dashers. Upon arrival at the restaurant, they immediately spot Lith and her crew seated at a table. Lith and Kono lock eyes.

Lith & Kono: Great.

Akira: Do you guys know each other or something?

Gram: Well, Lith and Kono are rivals.

Akira: Hmm... interesting.

The waiter approaches.

Waiter: Hey everyone, good to see you again!

Kono: Hey, how’s it going?

Waiter: It’s going well! How many today?

Kono: Umm... let me count (holding up her fingers) 1, 2, 3—

Akira: It’s 7, you idiot!

Waiter: Uhh, okay, well there’s not enough room for one table, so you’ll have to join this crew over here (pointing at Lith’s crew).

Lith overhears the waiter.

Lith: What! Are you serious? We sat with them last time!

Zodiac: My days just keep getting worse.

Kono: Are there no other seats available?

Waiter: No, I’m afraid not.

Kono: Very well.

Waiter: Right this way, please.

The waiter guides them to a table adjacent to the Scarlet Crew. Souta glances over to see Daru but notices Akira seated next to him. Souta nudges Junko.

Junko: Ouch! What was that for?

Souta: Who is that sitting next to Daru?

Junko: Huh? I don’t know. Why don’t you go ask?

Souta: No, I’m not going over there.

Junko: Then stop complaining if you’re not going to take action.

Souta sighs and looks back, noticing Gram leaning over the table, waving.

Souta: Eww!

Souta turns away.

Gram: Yeah, she can’t handle this.

Zodiac: What the hell are you talking about?

Gram: Huh! Oh, nothing.

Akira: Kono!

Kono: Huh! Yes?

Daru: You know she’s sitting right across from you, and I’M RIGHT BESIDE YOU! SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO YELL!

Akira: Yeah, yeah.

Daru: (Talking to himself) Stay calm.

Akira: How long have you and that girl been rivals?

Kono: Umm... about 2 weeks now, I think?

Akira: Only two weeks! That’s nothing.

Kono: Yeah, but she recently made me her rival.

Akira: Explain!

Daru: Again, I’m right beside you.

Himitsu: Oh! Can I explain it, Kono?

Kono: Uh, yeah, go ahead.

Himitsu: Okay, so basically, Kono never had a crew, right? And her brother owns this place, Sampostis.

Akira: Wait, what? Kono, your brother owns Sampostis?

Kono: Yeah, he’s the President of Sampostis.

Zodiac: Yeah, and a real jackass.

Daru chuckles.

Himitsu: But that’s for another time. As I was saying, this is Kono’s first crew, and everyone at Sampostis looks down on her because she’s not with her brother. They think she’s not good enough or that something is wrong with her. But ever since we joined her crew and helped her win the Newbie Event...

Gram: I—

Himitsu: Huh?

Gram: I won the Newbie Event.

Akira: I doubt that.

Gram: Uhh...

Himitsu: Anyway, we won the Newbie Event and saved most people from Minus One.

Akira: Mi—

Himitsu: And before you ask about Minus One, he was created in the Sampostis lab by Dr. Grozo. He lost control and let it kill people in Districts One and Two. But we saved the people with help from the Scarlet Crew, those folks beside us. After we beat them, Lith told Kono she was her rival!

Himitsu takes a moment to collect his thoughts.

Himitsu: That was quite a bit to unpack.

Akira: Yeah, but it sounds like Kono has come a long way from where she started.

Kono: I couldn’t have done it without my amazing crew.

Meanwhile, the Virgo Crew is seated nearby.

Lance: Great, we have to sit with these fools.

Iris: Zodiac...

Zodiac: Why are you sitting here?

Lance: Because there was no space anywhere else.

Akira: You guys know them too?

Gram: Yep, we do.

Iris and Akira exchange glances.

Iris: Who are you?

Akira: And why would I tell you that?

Iris: Because I am royalty! That’s why.

Akira: Your royalty can kiss my ass.

Iris: How dare you!

Daru: Okay, we’re at a restaurant; can we not?

Iris composes herself.

Lance: You good, sis?

Iris: Yeah... I’m going to kill her.